Tuesday, December 3rd at 8:00 PM EST at the United Center

Game Rewind: IND 80, CHI 76

by Scott Agness

Instant Rewind

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The Pacers wrapped up a four-game road trip in Chicago against their division rival for the first time this season. As both teams were without their best player, the question was who would pick up the slack. Tuesday, it was Paul George for the Pacers as he carried them to a big 80-76 road win.

Bulls (8-8) forward Carlos Boozer scored the first four points of the game, but the Pacers (9-9) scored the next 10. Paul George, coming off a scoreless night in Golden State on Saturday, contributed 10 of the Pacers' first 16 points. At the end of the first period, the Pacers were ahead 20-18, but only shot 30 percent from the field.

George made the Pacers' first two field goals of the second quarter, coming more than six minutes after the team went without a basket dating back to the end of the first quarter. Seven turnovers in the second quarter, in addition to poor shooting, allowed the Bulls to take their first lead since the first minute of the game. The Bulls scored the final four points of the half and led 37-35 at intermission.

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The Pacers played their best in the third quarter. They took advantage of six Bulls turnovers, used an 11-2 run to get some separation, and then took their biggest lead 60-51. Roy Hibbert scored eight points in the quarter and the Pacers were up 60-55 with 12 minutes remaining.

The Bulls controlled the first five minutes of the fourth, going on their own 11-2 run to take a three point lead. Later, the Pacers were down 74-70, but would score eight straight to go up 78-74 on a Lance Stephenson layup. They'd keep the lead for good. Down two with 14.1 seconds left, Bulls forward Luol Deng drove to the hoop but was stuffed by Hibbert. West corralled the rebound, hit both free throws at the other end and the Pacers escaped with a win, 80-76.

The Pacers have to feel good about going 3-1 on the road trip but can't think about it long, as they host Portland on Wednesday.

Inside the Numbers

Paul George led all scorers with 34 points (14-of-25 FGs) and he also had nine rebounds. Roy Hibbert registered his fifth double-double and first since Nov. 23rd with 10 points and 11 rebounds. David West also added 10 points and nine rebounds.

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Nate Robinson came off the bench to score a team-high 19 points for the Bulls. Luol Deng had 17 points and Carlos Boozer finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The Pacers took care of the ball in three quarters. They had 12 turnovers on the night, seven coming in the second quarter. Conversely, the Bulls gave it away 19 times which the Pacers converted into 23 points.

Neither team shot it well from 3-point range. The Pacers were 2-for-10 and the Bulls were 4-of-12.

The Pacers bench was very quiet, only accounting for 12 points and seven rebounds combined.

The game was close throughout, consisting of 12 ties and seven lead changes.

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Stat of the Game

Paul George failed to score in the last game but dropped 34 points on the Bulls. He was 14-of-25 (56%) from the field while the rest of the Pacers combined to shoot 15-of-55 (27%).

Noteworthy

Bulls center Joakim Noah was T’d up in the second quarter.

The Pacers are 3-0 when Paul George scores at least 30 points.

The United Center was sold-out (21,152) for the 96th straight game.

Up Next

It’s a quick turnaround for the Pacers. They’ll host the Portland Trailblazers to the Fieldhouse on Wednesday night (7 PM EST).